Health Secretary’s hospital stay keeps him away from Holyrood assisted dying vote

Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said he is “sorry and frustrated” to miss Tuesday’s key vote on assisted dying legislation at Holyrood after spending a night in hospital.

The Health Secretary has now been discharged after being treated at St John’s Hospital in Livingston, and thanked staff there, together with NHS24 staff, for the “exceptional care” he received.

He spent the night in hospital after being admitted on Monday, with Mr Gray saying: “My experience in the last 24 hours has only solidified a fact I already knew – that our dedicated doctors, nurses, clinicians and hospital support staff are the fundamental backbone of our NHS.”

While he stressed he is “on the mend” and was “pleased to now be discharged”, he added he was “sorry and frustrated” to be missing key debates in Holyrood.

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) is one of three pieces of legislation MSPs will vote on on Tuesday.

Mr Gray said he would now vote by proxy, and would abstain on the Bill – which has been brought forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur.

The Health Secretary explained he was doing that because the Scottish Government had taken a neutral stance to the Bill throughout proceedings, adding: “Should it pass I will continue to have responsibility for the process remaining.”

Meanwhile, social care and mental wellbeing minister Tom Arthur will take his place in Holyrood’s chamber on Tuesday.

Mr Gray said he was “grateful” to his Scottish Government colleague for stepping in for the debate.

The Health Secretary said: “We all know the huge sensitivity of the subject of assisted dying, the complexity of it and, regardless of the outcome of the vote, my intention in Parliament this afternoon was to thank MSPs for the sincere, passionate and respectful way they have approached these considerations.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Mr Gray who, up until today, has led on Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill for the Scottish Government, was admitted to hospital yesterday.

“Whilst he has been discharged, he is unable to take part in the Stage 3 today.  Mr Arthur will deputise for him this evening and the Scottish Government remains neutral on the Bill.

“Mr Gray plans to be back at work soon and has expressed his gratitude and thanks to the NHS staff who provided such a high level of care to him.”